Sadly enough, many people have sleep apnea and have no idea how serious the health risks are. This problem goes beyond your quality of sleep. It’s actually tied directly to your cardiovascular and metabolic health.
Our expert dental team at K Street Dental & Orthodontic Group has the expertise to diagnose your condition and treat it. If you think you might have sleep apnea, make an appointment at our practice in Washington, DC, as soon as you can. Here’s why.
The most common type of sleep apnea is called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). It causes much bigger issues than just not being able to get a good night’s rest. It can cause a slew of health problems, including:
Sleep apnea can wake you up throughout the night, which causes stress. When this happens, your hormones kick into overdrive, making your blood pressure levels go up. In addition, when you don’t breathe well, the oxygen levels in your blood drop, which can also cause hypertension.
Sleep apnea disrupts the way your body takes in oxygen, which can interfere with how your brain controls the blood flow in your arteries and also in your brain. This condition can lead to a heart attack. Strokes and atrial fibrillation are linked to sleep apnea, too.
When you carry extra weight on your body, you’re at risk for several health issues. Not only is being overweight related to sleep apnea, but it’s also linked to Type 2 diabetes.
Among people who have Type 2 diabetes, 80% suffer from sleep apnea. Obesity raises your risk for both of these conditions.
When you have metabolic syndrome, it means you have at least three of these five conditions:
This group of health issues also puts you at risk for heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
The list of health issues continues. You could also be at risk for conditions like depression, memory loss, acid reflux, and adult asthma. That’s why you need to know the signs of sleep apnea so you can get treatment right away.
Common signs of sleep apnea include:
If you have a bed partner who notices that you have episodes of not breathing, this is a telltale sign you have sleep apnea, so book an appointment with our dental team as soon as possible.
Though sleep apnea can seem scary, we have several ways to treat it successfully. Treatments might include:
We also may recommend some healthy lifestyle changes to improve your condition or eliminate it.
When you come in for your consultation, we explain the different treatment options we offer to give you the relief you need.
If you suspect you have sleep apnea, call our friendly office staff today. We can help.
